Are You Overweight?

Oh no, not another lecture on weight, health and nutrition! So, I'll keep this light. Just a few tips and suggestions for better living and a longer life might be a better approach. If you keep your weight under control, you avoid developing many types of health problems. What does overweight really mean? Most of us would like to lose a few pounds, so how can we do that?

Quite simply put, if you are a woman, you should try to keep your waist measurement to 35 inches (88 cm) or less. If you are a man, you should keep your waist measurement to 40 inches (100 cm) or less.

Losing a small amount of weight, reduces your chances of developing some common diseases. If you reduce your weight by 10 percent, you decrease your chances of developing diseases even more. Slow and steady weight loss of about one pound per week is safer and an easier goal to reach and maintain. Very rapid weight loss, can cause you to lose muscle rather than fat. Along with weight reduction, long-term changes in your eating and physical habits are the best approach to weight loss and to maintaining a good, healthy condition.

Look at your eating habits. Do you need to re-educate your taste buds? Try to eat a variety of foods, such as pasta, rice, bread and other whole-grain foods. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. These foods will fill you up without increasing the calories from foods full of oils and fats.

Along with your healthy diet, you need to include physical activities in your life.

Spend less time watching television and/or playing video games. Try to do at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day on several days of the week. You can do the activity in spurts - 10 minutes, 20 minutes at a time. Walk to the store or take the stairs instead of the elevator. We have just joined a gym because our physical activities are rather limited during the cold winter months in northern Europe. I have been out to play golf with a friend on numerous occasions this winter. We have played golf in the snow, hail, rain and wind storm. A little dangerous swinging those irons in a storm, especially when there is thunder and lightening, so on occasion we did have to pack up and go home. Whenever I suggested to this golf friend that perhaps we should quit and go in, she always responded, "The fresh air is good for us!" My tennis is restricted to two hours of indoor tennis once a week. And my walks with the dog are shorter and a bit irregular during the winter months. By going to the gym two or three times a week, I start by cycling 4-5 kilometers, then proceed to work on the abdominals, back, hips, buttocks, legs and arms, and finish with a 12-minute walk-and-jog combination. A very invigorating and relaxing workout. That way I keep fit for the summer activities of cycling, outdoor tennis, and golf tournaments. We keep fit, and we have found that we eat less and enjoy our food more.

Join us by looking at your diet and physical activities. Improve your life. Health does not depend on age, it depends on you.

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